Emergency ladder



' tOct. 1 1, 1927- C Q McRAcKEN EMERGENCY LADDER Filed May 2 2. 1925 31a/vento HC1 i CmMC/Mwckm Patented oct. 11, 1927. l

.it s.

' CHARLES. c. MCCRACKEN, orv BRAnnisR,A orare.

EMERGENCY LADDER.Y

Application led May 22,

My invention has for its object to provide a folding emergency ladder that when folded will occupy a small space and when unfolded will constitute a rigid support for the user. The steps or rungs of the ladder are so formed that they will protrude from the wall of the building whereby the feet of the user may be readily and securely placedvon, and his hands may easily grasp the steps or rungs. Also the ladder is so constructed that it will not be moved outward from the the wall at the point that it is grasped by the hands to a material degree nor will the rungs be tilted when supporting the weight of the user of the ladder, notwithstanding the outward projection or location of the rungs. Thus the invention provides a safe emergency ladder that may be readily utilized in descending along the wall of the building. j The invention may be contained in ladders that in the detail of their construction partake of different forms. To illustrate a practical application of the invention I have selected a ladder embodying the invention as an example of suchv structures and shall ydescribe it hereinafter. The ladder selected for purposes of illustration is shown in the drawing.

Figure l illustrates a ladder in position for descent. Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the ladder partly unfolded. Fig. 3 is a view of a section through a joint of the ladder.

The ladder shown in the drawings is formed of a plurality of connected frame parts and a means is provided for readily connecting the ladder with a sill of the window. The frames are so formed that they will lie one within the other. The larger frame being preferably the top frame when *the ladder is located in the position for use. The ladder may be' unfolded by merely connecting an end frame to a sill and holding the larger frame horizontally and allowing the other frames to drop. This will cause the ladder frames to descend and become supported bv the sill. In the form of construction shown the hooks l are placed over the sill 2 of the window, the chains 3 being of sufficient length to enable the largest frame 4 of the ladder 5 to be easily held horizontally outside of the window which will permit the other frames of the ladder to drop towards the ground. The chains .ready grasp of the rungs.

' thereon.

1926. Serial No. 110,934.

will therefore suspend the upper endof the ladder from the win-dow frame 6. i

Each frame of the ladder is formed of a pair of side members 7 and a step or rung 8 f to the side members.v The step or rung has two angular bends one at each end which places the body of the rung or step-outside of the plane of the frame of which it forms a part. Thus when the ladder is placed against the wall, the step projects slightly and gives a toe hold on the ladder and a Since each rung is locked to the sides of the frame and is located at the top of the frame, the weight of the body when the foot is placed on the rung will cause the lower ends of the sides to press against the wall of the building and prevent tilting of the projecting step or rung,A while if the rung were locate-d at the lower end of the frame, the upper ends of the sides would be tilted outward. Thus the rungs are maintained in their position when stepped on. Also when thel rungs are grasped the downward pull presses the lower ends of the frame againstthe wall and because of the length of the sides as compared 'to vthe projection of the rung or step, the

frame will lie flat against the wall (although it is pulled by the hand at the natural angle as when Aone is descending or climbing a vertical ladder.

In order that the ladder may be folded each outer end portion of the steps or rungs is provided with a cylindrical part 12 while the lower end of each side memberof the frames is provided with an opening that fits the cylindrical part 12 and so as to rotate Each end of the step or rung 8 is headed as at ll to rotatably secure the lower ends of the side members of the frames in position.

I claim:

In an emergency ladder, a plurality of frames, each frame formed of side bars and a step, the step being formed of a bar havllt) ing end portions bent at two right angles to project' the body of the steprroutside of the plane of the side hars; each end of the Vstep having a cylindrical portion and aportion other than cylindrical, the upper ends of the side bars connected' to the step having openings for fitting the portions other than cylindrical for looking the step to the side hars, the lower ends of the Sidehars havingv cylindrical openings itting the cylindrical 10 portions of' the step of the adjoining frame,

'the ends of the steps, riveted over the'ends of the Side bars of adjoining frames.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto sgnedniy naine to this specification.

CHARLES C. MCCRACKEN. 

